Josef Newgarden Survives Terrifying Flip at Gateway IndyCar Race

MADISON, Ill.  — In a dramatic turn of events at the Bommarito 500, reigning IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden was involved in a bone-chilling crash that saw his No. 2 car flip upside down and skid along the wall—and walk away uninjured.

The chaos erupted on lap 131 during the nighttime race at World Wide Technology Raceway. Rookie Louis Foster spun into the wall in Turn 4, sliding directly into Newgarden’s path. The impact launched Newgarden’s car airborne, causing it to land on its roof across the pitwall and skid a painful stretch before coming to rest.

IndyCar’s safety team responded within seconds, flipping the car upright and helping Newgarden exit. Both he and Foster walked away without serious injuries and were cleared at the infield medical center.

Foster later explained the incident:

“I got a bit too high … got into the marbles and … spun,”
He described the collision as “pretty scary” and expressed relief that both drivers were okay.

The crash highlighted the perils of racing on Gateway’s slick, high-speed oval. The incident occurred shortly after Foster veered into the wall, smashing a toe-link. Newgarden had already committed to the lower lane, leaving no escape from the chaos.

Newgarden’s misfortune compounded Team Penske’s struggles: earlier, teammate Will Power had crashed due to a tire failure, and Scott McLaughlin retired with mechanical issues—none of the Penske cars finished the race.

Kyle Kirkwood from Andretti Global capitalized, taking victory in the second consecutive race, maintaining momentum as one of only two drivers to win this season.

What Happens Next?

• Car & team recovery: Newgarden will rebuild his vehicle and prep for the next race at Mid‑Ohio on June 22.

• Safety discussions: The high-speed crash reignites concerns about the safety of oval tracks like Gateway and the challenge drivers face with “marbles” on the racing line.

• Championship implications: Newgarden’s crash drops him down in the standings and reinforces Kirkwood and Palou’s dominance.